The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Koda Glover, reinstated right-handed pitcher Shawn Kelley, and optioned right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole and left-handed pitcher Matt Grace to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.
Glover, 24, returns to the Nationals' active roster after missing 14 games with a left hip impingement. The right-hander made one rehab appearance, tossing a scoreless inning for Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday evening. The hard-throwing rookie was 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA when he was placed on the disabled list on April 26. He had posted scoreless appearances in 7 of his 11 outings out of the Nationals' bullpen.
Kelley, 33, missed nine games with a lower back strain and returns to the Nationals with a 2-0 record, three saves, and a 5.40 ERA in 11 games this season. The veteran right-hander ranked second among National League relievers in strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.27) and fourth in strikeouts per nine innings (12.4) in 2016.
Cole, 25, made one start for the Nationals during his most recent call-up. The right-hander earned the win on Saturday in Philadelphia, tossing 6.0 innings, allowing one run on six hits and four walks. Cole is 2-2 with a 4.86 ERA in 12 career Major League games.
Grace, 28, has appeared in two games in two separate Major League stints this season. The left-hander tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in relief on April 26 at Colorado, and allowed two earned runs in 1.2 innings of work on Sunday in Philadelphia.